Originally Posted By: Huie83
I'll never spend the premium on Honda branded equipment again, its too hyped up due to the brainwashed cult following they have for some reason.
As someone who has often been critical of Honda (and had owned an Acura as basis, not just spouting data as a fanboy/basher), but who now owns two, Ill say this...
I think most know that Honda is the largest engine manufacturer in the world. At least they were at one point and its a data point that sticks in my head. Regardless, I feel they do make a great engine. Did in our Integra, and hopefully do in our odyssey and accord.
Honda, like any manufacturer in a non-precision industry, will have some duds. This will and actually must happen mathematically. The "statistics" that get spouted out become less and less meaningful because of electronics and stuff like cellphone integration, where often "statistically" a service call because of bluetooth linking is counted the same as one for a massive engine failure. What is more important to me is selection of materials, paints, corrosion protection, components, etc. that will last the long run.
For us, we have had great success with long-term ownership, well past the 100k mark and often past the 200k mark with Chrysler, Toyota, BMW and MB products. I had no doubt that our Saab and VW would have done so as well (have experience from a close friend with VW, even through their "dark ages"), had we not traded. As someone said above, a lot of it has to do with factors that are often not admitted (driving skill/quality, who is touching the car, etc).
Though Ive often criticized Honda, and will be the first to say that they aren't just a bad deal, but a stupid deal in the secondary market, they were a maker who offered what we wanted, how we wanted (other than MT which is unobtainium in either type vehicle we bought), and we have been happy. Time will tell if the issues we had with the integra manifest with these, but as someone who has, and does own, and who has, and will be critical, Im not sure Id write them off as blatantly over hyped. Though I also would never consider a used one...
Originally Posted By: Huie83
Anyways, buying used vehicles is a gamble. That's why I turn to this forum, to get honest actual user reviews and weed through the [censored] online.
Thanks again for everyone's input, its highly appreciated, keep it coming.
If I was looking for a used van, the only one Id consider is the Chrysler product. Toyota and Honda are overpriced, the older Kia/Hyundai offerings were way behind while the newest ones push the envelope too much without offering economy of fuel or cost, and the Nissan honestly I just didn't like much.
We were tied in if we would buy an odyssey or a town and country. Keep in mind I learned to drive in and absolutely loved our Toyota Previa, which went way, way over 200k with no real service needs except a new radiator. But the Sienna didn't set up the way I wanted it, and didn't offer the value proposition of the Odyssey. The odyssey and T&C/caravan are class best IMO, having driven a TON of rental T&Cs for thousands of miles, and now being an owner of the odyssey who test drove all of them. The thing that made us pick the odyssey was twofold: right place right time for a killer deal, and the center overhead console in the chrysler vans, which while not a deal breaker, was not desired by either of us, especially my wife.
So if the ody is a bad deal used, which Ill say it is (we bought new for less cost per mile assuming it is kept to 100k, than any used deal we could find), and the chrysler is top in class, then look at chrysler.
And heres what Id do: avoid the T&C, which has a highish sticker new and doesn't depreciate as much. Look for low level Caravan and wait for a good one. Find one that had one of those value packages, which means that it might have been bought for near, if not below, $20k. Then start depreciating from there and you start to find a decent late model van for not a lot of money.
But be patient. That is key. I think the caravan base, late model, even if a little over your stated budget, is the best bet. Learn its weak points and address them, keep after it, treat it nice and gently, and Im sure it will give very good service.
